Fertilizers are indispensable in lawn maintenance. They help the grass grow and stay healthy. But did you know that fertilizer has a dark secret? Fertilizer production is responsible for huge quantities of greenhouse gas emissions. That means, if you are using fertilizers on your lawn, you are inadvertently contributing to global warming. Fortunately, you can avoid that and still have a beautiful lawn with synthetic grass in Tracy.
Fertilizers Contribute to Global Warming
Plants need nitrogen to grow, but they can’t absorb it from the air. That’s why most fertilizers contain ammonia, a compound that has nitrogen that plants can absorb from the ground.
The problem is that making ammonia involves burning fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gasses.
Another problem with fertilizers is what happens after people use them. Only around half of the nitrogen in fertilizers is taken up by plant roots.The rest either breaks down in the soil or gets washed away by rainwater, where it produces nitrous oxide—a greenhouse gas 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
Americans use ten times more fertilizer on their lawns per acre than they do on food farming. A report in 2011 found that Americans use 90 million pounds of fertilizers on their lawns annually. The amount has likely increased significantly since then.
Fertilizers Can Also Destroy Ecosystems
Aside from breaking down in the soil, leftover nitrogen from fertilizer can also run off into waterways. When these fertilizers reach water sources, they help weeds flourish. These plants eventually die, sink to the bottom, and decompose, which reduces the oxygen in the water. This creates dead zones—areas that have oxygen levels that are so low they can’t sustain life.
Fertilizers can also get into wells and springs, which is a serious health hazard. Drinking water with a lot of nitrates can cause cancer, congenital disabilities and other health conditions.
Artificial Grass Doesn’t Need Fertilizers
Synthetic grass in Tracy doesn’t need fertilizers to stay healthy, because it’s not alive.
Moreover, it doesn’t have any roots that draw water and nutrients from the soil to sustain it. That means it doesn’t matter if the soil under it is barren—the synthetic grass will still be lush and green.
Other Benefits of a Fertilizer-Free Lawn
Not using fertilizers will not just reduce your carbon footprint. It will also provide other benefits that a fertilized lawn can’t give you.
Curbs Weed Problems
Weeds thrive in fertilized soil. They steal the nutrients meant for the grass, growing quickly and taking up space meant for turf. You can pull them out or kill them with weedicide, but they’ll regrow quickly if the soil is fertile.
But if you have a synthetic lawn, you don’t have to worry about weeds taking over. Why? Because they can’t break through the dense, tightly woven fibers of artificial grass in Tracy. It also doesn’t need fertile soil, which means there won’t be any extra nutrients in the ground for weeds to get.
Prevents Lawn Diseases
Turf diseases can be a real pain because they can ruin lawns in a matter of days. Most turf diseases start due to bad weather conditions, but some of them also appear when people over fertilize their lawns.
In contrast, turf diseases can’t infect artificial grass—not only because it doesn’t need fertilizer but also because it’s not alive. Harmful fungi can’t thrive on synthetic materials.
Give Back to the Environment With Artificial Turf Services in Tracy
If you’re looking for the best artificial grass for your landscaping and creative design ideas, look no further than Tracy Artificial Grass.
We have high-quality synthetic turf products that will stay lush and green with minimal upkeep. We also offer expert installation services. With our team on the job, you can have the lawn of your dreams in no time.
If you have any questions or want to get a quote on your installation, please send us a message online or call us at 408-723-4954!
